There’s no doubt about it – relationships are tough, and they do require both sides to make an effort and put the work in to having a healthy and happy relationship, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Life is busy and sometimes having, what feels like a million other things like work, family and kids trying to grab our attention can mean that our relationship gets put to the side.
It’s not that we stop loving our partner or them us, but especially when you live with someone, it can be easy to just take each other for granted and think because they’re physically there that the relationship is healthy. However, relationships require each person to make an effort to spend time together and show the other that the relationship is something that’s valued. In this post, we’re going to share some tips with you on how to successfully work through a rough patch in your relationship.
Talk and Listen
Relationships include two people with different personalities, perspectives and communication styles so it’s important that you acknowledge the other person when sitting down to have a conversation about your relationship. Just as it’s important for you to be heard, it’s equally important that you take the time to really listen to their concerns, too. If you’re having trouble with communicating with your partner, this doesn’t mean you need to throw in the towel, but you could consider speaking to a professional or even seeking some couples counseling online to help you both communicate and listen to each other more effectively.
Schedule Time for Dates
It sounds totally unromantic, I know. The reality is that life is busy and if you don’t schedule time for things that are important, then they pretty much don’t get done. Taking time for your relationship should be a priority if you want it to work, and it certainly doesn’t have to be expensive or over the top dates – something as simple as a weekly dinner and movie date outside or even at home is all you need. It’s not what you do that matters, but the fact that you’re spending time together.
Focus on the Good Points
During trying times in a relationship – especially if you’re around each other all the time, it can be difficult to see the good things in the other person because they’re probably getting on your nerves. However, it’s a good idea to step back for a second and take some time to think about all the good qualities your partner has because you’ll likely find that these far outweigh the bad.
Think Ahead
If your relationship is going through a difficult period, it’s important to realize that it happens and is perfectly normal. Though it’s also a good opportunity to think about what you really want. Think ahead 5 years and try to picture your life with or without your partner – how it makes you feel will be a good indicator of where you stand with your relationship and if you really want to make it work or think it’s best to go your separate ways.
Photo Credit: Photo by Justin Groep on Unsplash, Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash
